World leaders will start the year at Half Moon Bay at the World Ocean Summit. Photograph from iStock.

The United Nations says 1998 was the Year of the Ocean, but I beg to differ. I’m fairly convinced that next year will be the year we see world leaders begin to take responsibility for the future of our ocean, and start to turn words into action.

We’re also going to see an innovation explosion – new technologies, falling prices on high tech, new business models – that will offer new solutions and change the way we approach global problems. And we’re going to see growing momentum in this new age of exploration, from citizen science to connecting ancient cultures with modern science. It’s time. We need it.

The year is set to start strong with a convening of world leaders discussing the governance and sustainability of the world’s ocean. The World Ocean Summit 2014 is the forum where heads of state, corporate CEOs, scientists, and conservationists will gather to talk about charting a path forward.

But it’s not just talk. These global leaders will be put to work with a challenging program, including a full day devoted to devising solutions to specific challenges. Country leaders will challenge each other; with recent successes in fisheries management and implementation of marine reserves, there’s proof that leadership is possible.

Innovation

It may be a buzzword everyone loves to hate, but, when it comes to the ocean, it’s happening in a big way.

The XPRIZE Foundation has recently turned its attention to the ocean with the Wendy Schmidt Ocean Health XPRIZE (see “Newest XPRIZE Targets Ocean Health“), specifically the massive threat of ocean acidification. While the winning solution won’t actually come until 2015, 2014 is the critical period of innovation and development. Importantly, the challenge focuses both on accuracy and affordability, so we can expect to see some super expensive but accurate solutions that will only be affordable to wealthy governments, but we should also see solutions that are easy-to-use and more affordable. Definitely watch this space.

From tracking marine trash to monitoring activities in protected areas, citizen science is changing the way we collect data on important issues. Ocean Sampling Day is just one example of a massive citizen science project coming in 2014. Although not truly “citizen” science (these are actually scientists), volunteers around the world will all go out on June 21st and collect samples of ocean water.

The idea is that, by understanding ocean microbes all over the world, scientists can develop ocean-derived biotechnologies to solve global-scale problems.

We’re always looking to technology to solve difficult problems, but tech is often super expensive, which puts it out of reach for those trying to solve the problems on the ground. In 2014 the focus will shift from developing new technologies to figuring out how to make good tech cost less.

Innovators around the world are experimenting with technology solutions to do everything from counting wildlife to spotting illegal fishing boats like these off the coast of Guinea-Bissau. Photo by Richard White, Naturalist, Lindblad Expeditions.

A key area this is happening in is aerial surveillance – important work for understanding what’s going on in marine protected areas, and stopping illegal activities. Drones, seemingly always in the news these days, are finally going to become cost effective for use in marine conservation.

But drones aren’t the only solution – innovators around the world are experimenting with more basic solutions, including attaching cameras to kites to do everything from counting wildlife to spotting illegal fishing boats. And underwater drones – or remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) – are also turning ocean enthusiasts into citizen scientists and ocean explorers, as groups like OpenROV make it easy to build or buy inexpensive equipment.

In May next year, the Polynesian Voyaging Society will depart Hawaii for the beginning of their World Wide Voyage. They will travel for five years around the world in a traditional Polynesian double-hulled voyaging canoe, using only traditional navigation methods – extreme low tech, and extreme inspiration. The voyage will inspire communities around the world to “think like an islander” and care for our children’s future and the future of the planet. You’ll want to follow this one.

With so much recent activity in ocean exploration, research, and conservation, I may not be going out on much of a limb with these predictions, but I think 2014 will be the year we really start paying attention and seeing results.

Comments

Let’s hope we capitalise on the few victories of 2013 and do not repel the courageous decisions governments have taken lately (MPAs, fish quotas, subventions for marine trash removal, etc)…

Dale Lanan

United States

December 24, 2013, 6:14 pm

Earth’s Sea, Life Sea is what keeps her in HZ, Habitable Zone. That is compromised now. http://arctic-news.blogspot.com/2013/12/act-now-on-methane.html
2014 will see rapid rise in awareness of how far gone Earth is.
Essentially as long as value of money stands; Closed System thermodynamics forces Entropy to rise guaranteed. Act of God could undo that lock in if applied to Open System.

Post a comment

Ocean Views

Ocean Views brings new and experienced voices together to discuss the threats facing our ocean and to celebrate successes. We strive to raise awareness worldwide to the benefits of restoring fisheries and creating marine reserves. We inspire people to take better care of the oceans and leave a legacy of pristine seas to future generations.

Opinions expressed are those of the blogger and/or the blogger's organization, and not necessarily those of the National Geographic Society. Bloggers and commenters are required to observe National Geographic's community rules.

The Aquarium of the World

Described by Jacques Cousteau as the "aquarium of the world," the Gulf of California in Mexico is threatened by coastal development, climate change, and other human activities. To learn firsthand what's going on in and around this marine treasure of global importance, the National Geographic Society sent its top scientists and officials to the region in January 2016. They toured the desert islands off the southeastern coast of the Baja Peninsula and they listened to presentations by more than a dozen experts, including several whose Baja California research is funded by the Society. Bring yourself up to speed about this important place in this series of posts: National Geographic Committee for Research and Exploration Visits the Gulf of California